“Storm” of Government Officials’ Behaviors

State civil apparatus has been swept up in a storm as netizens peer into the unusual wealth of the Finance Ministry’s civil servants and their families.

FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Former echelon III official of the Directorate General of Taxes, Ministry of Finance, Rafael Alun Trisambodo (center) walks to the car after being questioned at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Building, Jakarta, Wednesday (1/3/2023).

This storm happened by accident. The arrogant behavior of a tax official’s son had stirred the long-existing resentment of some people. Mario’s father, Rafael Alun Trisambodo, who has accumulated an unusual amount of wealth, has been under the scrutiny of netizens. The more netizens probed, the more they found ways wealth can be concealed. Rafael was then removed from his position.

Because of Rafael, other civil servants of the Finance Ministry were audited as well. From what was revealed on the surface, some had concealed their wealth using classic methods, such as writing it off in the name of others or by simply not reporting it. These conditions are indeed concerning and fuel resentment among the public, which has sounded the alarm.

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> Lifestyle of State Officials

> Investigation into State Officials’ Wealth Begins

At the very least, Rafael’s case brought with it a warning: the monitoring system is not working! We must find out the reason for this. Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD once said the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) once reported irregularities in Rafael’s transactions to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in 2013. However, the report had not been followed up until the storm hit.

Mahfud, a member of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s Cabinet, continued to emphasize these irregularities. There are 69 employees at the Finance Ministry with suspicious transactions. There are transactions reaching Rp 300 trillion (US$19.4 billion) within a certain period of time.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD

Psychologically, a situation like this can stir the feelings of annoyance among the public. On the other hand, however, we should welcome the awakening and awareness of netizens and taxpayers to continue to monitor the behavior of officials. However, when will this stop?

We hope that President Jokowi will take appropriate and measurable action. It is possible for the President to order all state civil servants to declare all reported and unreported wealth, including an explanation of the origin of said wealth, within a certain period. These reports can be submitted to the KPK or other teams.

Also read:

> Finance Ministry Works With KPK, PPATK in Investigating Rafael

Now is the time to revive the suspended mentality of revolution. This moment must be used to cleanse the institution of state administrators who abuse their authority to get rich. This storm of public annoyance must be caught.

One way is to pass the crime of confiscation of assets law and the restrictions on currency transactions law. If deliberating these draft laws take too long, the President can issue a government regulation in lieu of law. What is left is political willingness.

This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.